Medieval wassail to bless Sherwood Forest trees
A blessing is set to be made for the prosperity of Sherwood Forest for the year ahead.
People are invited to the Nottinghamshire woodland for a weekend of tradition and folklore on Saturday and Sunday.
Central to the free festivities will be a traditional wassailing ceremony on Saturday at the Major Oak for the health of the forest.
The winter custom dates back to medieval times, said the Sheriff of Nottingham, Richard Townsley.
On Saturday from 11:00 GMT and Sunday from 12:00, the familiar faces of Robin Hood and the Sheriff - and the less welcome figure of the Krampus, who scares children who misbehave - will join the free festivities.
What is wassailing?
The Anglo Saxon wassail was, traditionally, a way to wish for a healthy forest and a good harvest to come - and is often associated with cider orchards as a result.
But in reality - much like the 2025 version taking place in north Nottinghamshire - the wassail is really a chance to be merry.
It grew from the tradition of the lord of the manor and the people living nearby raising a toast to each other's health, according to Mr Townsley.
Mr Townsley, who is also a historian and volunteer for RSPB Sherwood, said: "Wassailing is an ancient tradition of the blessing of the trees.
"For the last four or five years we've done a blessing to the Major Oak, which is probably the most famous tree in Britain.
"The tree is now very ancient - it's 12 to 15 hundred years old. It needs our blessing and the good wishes from everyone who knows and loves it."
On Saturday, the Sheriff will conduct a wassailing ceremony in the forest, but "naughty spirits" who are "haunting the forest" will chase him away, Mr Townsley said.
The following day, he will lead people back to the forest to let their hair down with singing, banging of pots and pans and general raucousness in a bid to "chase the beasts away" and "wake the trees".
Mr Townsley added: "This is a chance ahead of Blue Monday to get dressed up and come together, enjoy some forest air and give some love to the trees.
"We don't want people to come to watch – we want them to come and take part. I encourage people to bring their pots, pans, horns, whistles and flutes and to wear something outrageous."
The tradition is believed to have its roots in Norse customs, and it takes place in January, either on Twelfth Night, or around the 17th.
Revellers would share a bowl of drink, warmed cider, ale or wine mixed with spices, honey and eggs, said Mr Townsley.
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